Teamsters drop bid for American Airlines workers

DALLAS — The Teamsters are dropping a bid to replace another union and represent about 11,000 aircraft mechanics and other workers at American Airlines.

The Teamsters said Friday they were pulling out because of a government lawsuit this week to block the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. The union said that the lawsuit had thrown American employees in turmoil, and a representation fight between two unions wouldn’t help matters.

The decision by the Teamsters is a win for the Transport Workers Union, which represents ground workers at American, the nation’s third-biggest airline.

Last week, the Teamsters lost an election to represent 4,600 mechanics at US Airways. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers won with 58 percent of the vote.